Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-11-18
The ADDISON COUNTY CONFERENCE.


ering. The meeting of the Addison
county conference of Congregational
churches, which was held here then, did
not. therefore, draw together as many as
might have been wished. However, be-
sides those from the local church, there
were present delegates from the churches
in Cornwall, New Haven, Orwell, Wey-
bridge, Whiting and Ripton. Rev. c. G.
Mclntire of Pittsford and Rev. F. W..
Olmsted of Burlington also attended.
The conference was called to order by
Rev. DR.. White of Middlebury, and or
ganized by choosing Prof. w. w. Eaton
of Middlebury, chairman, and Rev. NJ: q.
Stebbins of Cornwall, scribe. The
minutes of the last annual conference
were read by the registrar, Rev. 5. F.
Calhoun of Orwell. On motion of Prof.
wager of Middlebury special commit
tee, consisting of DR.. White, Rev. MIR.
Calhoun and Dea. S. James, was APP
pointed to consider the ACCESSIBILITY of
changing the programme on account of
the bad weather. They reported later
against a change. Rev. Mr.. McIntire
was made corresponding member. At
ter devotional service, conducted by
Prof. wager, the chairman announced
these committees: On resolutions, KEY.
w. b. Hague of New Haven, Dea. IL. l.
Spoor of Ripton, Rev. Mr.. Calhoun; on
business, Rev. DR.. White, Dea. James, +.
NJ. Wright of Orwell.
The next business was to hear brief
reports from the churches. So far as
given they were in the main encouraging.
Dea. c. ID. Lane and L. p. ID. Mathews
reported for Cornwall, Prof. Eaton for
NIiddlebury, Dea. Ii. Il. Barrows for
New Haven, E. NJ. Wright for Orwell,
III. l. Spoor for Ripton. and Dea. James
for Weybridge.
Then came the consideration of the
topic, "Our Need of Spiritual Quicken
ing" Judge Knapp of Middlebury
read an excellent paper on the sub-topic,
"As Individuals in which he empha-
sized the importance of the life of the
soul, told of some of the discouragements
of the Christian life and how they may
be avoided. Spiritual quicllening as i'll
dividuals is needed, he said, for our own
comfort and protection, to prompt us to
renewed efforts for the cause of humanity,
and for the glory of God. Dea. James
spoke at some length on a second sub
topic. "As Churches" in which he in
sisted upon the necessityo of learning from
Christ and following His precepts in order
to the most efficient work AS churches.
Rev. Mr.. Calhoun talked on another sub
topic GLOW can it be secured!' lie
thought the best results could be accom-
plished through the preacher and his
work. and that the most successful
preachers were those of intense personal
earnestness. who in their sermons con-
denim the life of sin and eXalt the life of
righteousness in such a way that the
people feel the truth of what they say.
Rev. Mr.. Hague continued the discussion.
AFTERNOON.
The first thing on re-assembling in the
afternoon was Il prayer-meeting, con-
Quoted by Prof. Eaton.
Rev. f. w. Olmsted was called to the
chair by Prof. Eaton, whose college
duties necessitated his going. Rev. Nj.
&. Stebbins read a comprehensive paper
on the New Testament teachings as to the
responsibilities and duties of church of
Christ. The New Testament church is a
unit. 1t is not church of old people, but
of all the people. Every chnrch should
grow and expand; it should make its
work pervasive. 1t has large response
bilities, which should be fully met, and
large duties, which should be well pre-
formed. Further discussion of the topic
was participated in by Dea. 5. o. Wright
of Weybridge, Prof. wager, Rev. Mr..
Hague and President Brainerd.
Rev. DR.. White read pithy paper on
Incorporation in Christian work as MEM
bers of churches Unity of forces, he
said. is the law of strength i'll the family,
in the church and in the state. In order
to the highest good there must be union
in the churches. The world watches
closely and will not be led to Christ by
the examinations and dissensions of Chris
tians. A dying world demands that diff
ferences and speculatons be laid aside.
Rev. Mr.. Mayhem of Whiting, who was
to have had paper on cooperation OF
churches, was not present. The matter
was discussed, however, by Rev. Messrs.
Stebbins, McIntire and Olmsted, Prof.
wager, Dea. Wright of Weybrdge, Mr..
Wright of Orwell and others. Rev. DR..
Archibald and Rev. Mr.. Palmer, of the
Baptist church, were made honorary
members, and the former briefly address
ed the conference.
EVENING.
The evening session opened with 8
praise service which Rev. DR.. White con
Quoted.
Rev. Mr.. Calhoun reported for the com
mittee on resolutions and the report was
accepted and adopted. The scribe reaC
the minutes for correction. 1t was voted
that the conference stand adjourned aftel
the communion service.
The choir then rendered selection
and President Brainerd read the l2tl
chapter of John, beginning at the l2tl
verse. After another selection by NAL,
quartet composed of Messrs. Monroe
Richardson, Thomas and Benedict, Rev
Mr.. Hague preached an able and eloquen
sermon from John xiii, 24-''Verily, veri
ly, say unto you, except corn o
wheat fall into the ground and die, i
abideth alone; but if it die, it bringetl
forth fruit" The preacher spoke o
Jesus, first, as revealing God to man
and, second, as continuing that revela
ton to all future time.
The conference closed with the com
munion service, conducted by Revs. +
w. Olmstead and 5. F. Calhoun.